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Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: 4 stars
Pages: 337
Summary: Joanne Baldwin is a Weather Warden. Usually, all it takes is a wave of her hand to tame the most violent weather. But now, she's trying to outrun another kind of storm: accusations of corruption and murder. So, she's resorting to the very human tactic of running for her life...
Her only hope is Lewis, the most powerful warden known. Unfortunately, he's stolen not one but three bottles of Djinn-making him the most wanted man on earth. Still, she's racing hard to find him-before the bad weather closes in fast..
Thoughts: I am a hardcore, unapologetic Rachel Caine fan. Her Morganville series? Pretty much the most addictive YA series ever written. In short, Rachel Caine = Awesome.
Ill Wind proved to me that Caine's awesomeness does indeed translate over into adult fiction. It has plenty of action, fast cars, biblical storms and some brilliantly 3D characters. Although not as addictive as her Morganville series, I have high hopes for the rest of the Weather Warden books.
Jo is feisty as hell and has no less than three guys after her heart. She drives a mustang and can start a hurricane - she's on the lam, but she ain't no sheep.
One of the things I love about Rachel Caine is her ability to write smart characters who still make plenty of mistakes. Jo is smart - she has to be. Because, unlike other superpowers, being a weather warden is not just about having the talent - you have to learn how to use it. And what does that mean? Well, it means an awful lot of atmospheric physics! *swoons*
Despite Jo's obvious book smarts, she is still fallible. She makes mistakes and misjudges people - she's only human! Unlike a lot of authors, who have the token genius who never makes a mistake, Caine writes realistic smart people. Just because a character has an IQ of 150 doesn't mean they have to be boringly predictable - Caine lets her smarties get into trouble.
And go to the beach.
Bottom line? Ill Wind has it all: action, mystery, romance and rain. Pick it up if you are looking for some UF without all the traditional baddies.
This sounds so good! Plus, how can I resist something with rain?! :)
ReplyDeleteDarn you Kay, you've made me really want to read this now. My copy is signed though.. argh... may have to borrow a normal one from somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of action, mystery, romance and rain!
Technically, Caine's awesomness was spilled over into YA since these books were around first. ;) *cough* heh heh
ReplyDeleteI adore this series even though the later books have been known to frustrate me. I am looking forward to the new one which is out now. Just need to wait for some money to come in before I can pick it up. Whereas I gave up on the Morganville Vampire series because I got sick of it (and don't like vampires) I have not yet given up on Joanna!
Great review! I have this one in my TBR pile, and it's been there for so long, it's a complete shame. But now you really make me want to give it a try - and possibly continue the Morgaville series, too!
ReplyDelete@Melissa - Honestly, can anyone resist a book with rain? I think not.
ReplyDelete@Jenny - Oh, you're one of those types who won't read a signed copy? ... so am I! hehe
@Cat - yeah, yeah. Sheez, be technical will ya. ;) If you aren't a vamp fan, I totally understand not loving her Morganville series - BUT the series goes from "meh" to "OMG AWESOME" in the third book. Did you read that far?
@Kay - Give it a shot even if you weren't so keen on the Morganville Series - they are radically different! Not to mention, you already, er, own a copy. ;)
I'm totally addicted to the Morganville Vampires Series. It's seriously like crack for me. I've seen this series in passing, but I really wasn't sure if I would like them or not. After your review I'm definitely going to have to give them a chance though.
ReplyDeleteAlso..
I just wanted to let you know that I have an award for you here.
I haven't read the Morganville series because I'm not a big vampire fan, but Ill Wind sounds like lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteDanya
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